PAUL
CARRACK - Satisfy My Soul Paul Carrack is of course the unmistakable
voice behind Mike And The Mechanics. With this solo album of his, he takes
a more personal, reflective view, being in charge of almost every element of this
recording. He manages to express himself fully in a smooth, easy listening kind
of blues rock style with many a soulful touch. Paul wrote most of the songs single
handedly and produced it himself. He engineered most of the tracks and played
drums, guitar, bass and keyboards. Being in such control of his own expression
has to be quite a cathartic, emancipated experience for Carrack, who would (in
Mike And The Mechanics) be a megaphone for the creativity of Mike Rutherford.
There is however a song co-written by Mr. Rutherford, which, like almost every
other track, is a glorification of life & love and the importance of remembering
and cherishing good memories throughout trials and tribulations. - PB
4 / C CAZ
- Listen To Your Heart From Big Bucks Bonanza presenter, fleeting
Jackie Chan extra and Ziwa Mo mainman, Caz now storms headlong into the music
world. People see Caz as either “cool” or “clown”. Whichever way you like to scrutinize
him, there’s no denying that he drives towards what he wants, his love for striking
poses an asset. With this, his debut, the music, style and lyrics are pretty generic
but will appeal to those who know and love what he’s all about. A saving grace
is the closing track incorporating Juluka’s Impi. Although I have a mouthful to
say about songs riding on a popular or classic sample, at least here they chose
a good one to resurrect (if not exploit). - PB 2 / C CAZ
- Listen To Your Heart (Scorpio Music) Caz has never been a man satisfied
with merely being a TV presenter/personality. His long climb to stardom culminates
here with his biggest step yet, donning the hat of pop star. A kind of hip-hop,
R&B, pop mixture result in a fairly accomplished effort that does however blur
in with the multitude of other similar acts out there, local or otherwise. Unfortunately
the psychology of the whole thing will have some listeners deterred from checking
it out, seeing it’s “the guy from TV” - same with Amor… - PB 2 / C
THE
CHANNEL O HOUSE EXPLOSION - Mixed By DJs at Work (EMI) A not too shabby
continuous mix of 12 hyped tracks by DJs at Work await the House fan on this disc.
Some of the artists include Martin Solveig, Africanism, Kruze, Next Evidence and
Latina Café. A sometimes subtle African and even tribal undercurrent is present
in this mix that makes it a bit more distinguishable than the usual hogwash.
- PB 3 / C CHICANE
- Behind The Sun With the opening soundwaves of Behind The Sun, the
man behind it, Nick Bracegirdle (and several collaborators) create a tranquil
feeling of great expectations with Vangelis-tinged keyboard soundscapes. The fear
that these expectations could be shattered is all too apparent. Luckily it is
not the case. What you get is an accessible ride through electronic pop that doesn’t
fall in the radio rave pit. It is not exactly Craig Armstrong, but does give the
listener a mood enhancing, flowing audio experience. The track Low Sun has a retro
flavour with Hammond and flute incorporated into the overlaid, trippy loops to
great effect. The album’s hit track, Saltwater, seems to veer into that plastic
house category, but miraculously avoids this by means of its tender, vulnerable
and moving tone, partly set in place by Maira Braman’s vocals. Its 10 minute length
also avoids radio airplay and thus commercialism (but a radio edit is definitely
out there). An ambient Thrillseeker remix of Saltwater is also included and is
well executed. The two most artificial tracks are Halcyon and Andromeda, but luckily
they’re in the minority. An interesting little fact: one of the collaborators
are none other than Bryan Adams, who sings on Don’t Give Up (which has that remixed
Everything But The Girl feel to it) and also took most of the photographs for
the cover. Overall the album gives one a sense of a dimly lit lounge and cinematic
soundtrack atmosphere, without things getting too ominous amoung its sequenced
tranquility and rising energy. - PB 4 / B CHUMBAWAMBA
- Songs From Wysiwig (EMI) Yes, we all remember their chart topper,
Tubthumping, also used for the footie world cup and all the tales of them being
a struggling punk band before blah-de-blah. Their activist roots do shine through
the eroded soil of this stripped down effort played in, I quote, “a fetchingly
acoustic neobilly style”. She’s Got All The Friends That Money Can Buy
is the very first example - self explanatory really, then there’s Jesus In
Vegas - again, no explanation necessary, really. Passenger List For Doomed
Flight 1721 is another bit of black comedy from the 8-piece boys & girls where
the lyrics consist of all the names of public figures they believe we can do without,
like Bill Gates, Richard Branson etc. An enjoyable little collection of songs
that is not in your face, though subtly that is exactly where they’re putting
it. - PB 3 / B COAL
CHAMBER What was planted first...the [Sepultura] Root(s) or Korn? I don't
really care about the answer, all I know is that this loaded, down tuned, simplified
groove is the new late 90's sound (for the moment). In this same growling vein,
Coal Chamber pelts out some serious intensity on both the musical and vocal front.
These bouncing, minimalist tunes will have you clenching your teeth as it sucks
you in with each listen. The emotional agony and internal turmoil translated to
the listener gets momentary relief with adequate doses of humour - especially
in the hidden studio outtakes. Oh, and about that question...isn't it all meant
to boil down to Black Sabbath in the end? - PB 4 / A COLDPLAY
- Parachutes Coldplay’s entire album cruises along at a very steady pace
(even the track called High Speed). The band manages to create a sweeping sound
within the basic production. They all contribute to creating an amazing mood with
the bare essentials of drums, guitars and the occasional piano. In part the vocalist
reminds me a lot of Dave Owens (ex-singer of Cape Town’s Lithium, now (2000) in
Johannesburg singing for Gimp). Coldplay has a certain sense of honesty and sincerity
that is bound to speak to someone who isn’t exactly into their brand of commercial,
but heartfelt and expressive rock. Do check it out. - PB 4 / A
THE
CORRS - In Blue These three luscious Irish lasses and their (not as tasty)
brother have become superstars. Let’s be honest, though, in most part it is thanks
to their parents’ gene combinations. Their song writing skills are well in tact,
albeit in the kinda predictable end of the pool with lyrical content often a little
naive. It’s not up to me to knock mainstream music, but I will. Then again, I
can’t knock their nice little tunes of love and happiness (and disappointment,
oh yes) because they’re just so damn prrretty - oh, OK, even their boetie’s cute.
See, I told you their success is mainly due to aesthetics…! - PB 2
/ C COVENANT
- Nexus Polaris (Nuclear Blast) Where under usual circumstances I find most
Black Metal bands hilarious (18 year old Gene Simmons of Kiss immitations
running around with similar make-up, spitting blood and breathing flames as he
does). That doesn't mean that there aren't great bands in that vein out there.
I don't know if they partake in this kind of cliche onstage antics, but here the
music speaks much louder. Covenant (now more electronic and spelling their
name with a K) consists of members ranging from Mayhem to Cradle Of
Filth, two of the most respected Black Metal bands around. This impressive
disc features eight epic tracks so full and vast you could get lost in it. Extreme
vocals which avoid the oft irritatingly shrill screeching are constantly countered
by the melodic, harmonic and thrilling female backing vocals. This task is alotted
to Sarah and I wonder if it's the same XXL Sarah we befriended in London who does
Cradle Of Filth's backing (?). It fits really well with the tracks and
adds that much needed mystical feel. The wall of atmospheric keyboards, piano
and church organ blend perfectly with the hectic but melodic extremity of the
guitars & drums. In some parts the vocalist could be easily mistaken for King
Diamond. Similarly the music reflect that Merciful Fate/King Diamond
feel. This was one of the few times I actually enjoyed listening to one of these
CD's from start to finish and then again. It's heavy, it's beautiful and well
executed all at the same time. If you've never considered anything remotely close
to the Black Metal genre, do yourself a favour and check this out, you'll be pleasantly
surprized. - PB 5 / A CRADLE
OF FILTH - Midian One of the UK’s most controversial bands again burst
out with a monumental slice of musical mayhem and near genius. Surpassing the
Black Metal genre in their image (more horror / vampire than anything else) as
well as their sound and great production, the intensity, “evil” content and technical
expertise still make many heads turn (and roll!). Not that you necessarily need
to take it all too seriously, it’s kind of like a King Diamond trip of
unholy tales wrapped in elaborate conceptual motifs, imagery and walls of sound
ranging from poetic to chaotic. Fabulous operatic female vocals (by Sarah) juxtaposes
the ludicrously high pitched (and low pitch-shifted) vocals of the front-goblin,
Dani. Still very much like a Hammer Horror soundtrack on Crack, with Satan as
sound engineer, you can’t help but to love it for its pure theatrics, blatant
attempt to shock and ability to come up with some wickedly elaborate songs of
metal madness. - PB 5 / B CRITICAL
MASS - Blueprint (Firestain Music) It’s no secret that cover artwork plays
a big role in one’s perception of a CD before you’ve even heard it. This one looks
a bit more exciting and futuristic than it actually is. It boils down to a basic
acoustic rock trip in the vein of Just Jinger and Grannysmith. Production wise
it is a pretty competent package, its Christian undertones not shoved in anyone’s
face. - PB 2 / C CROWDED
HOUSE - Afterglow (EMI) This band from down under might be no more,
but they live on in the minds and CD players of their fans. This posthumous release
includes unreleased, rare material that their supporters had been hoping and praying
for. But, each track can be better explained by Neil Finn, in stead of me trying
to philosophy on something he knows firsthand: text to follow.... (sorry, lost
the printout!) CUBAN
BOYS - C vs. I (EMI) If Aqua is your thang, you’ll cream for this
little piece of, uhm, hamster fun. Apparently something to do with an Internet
Hamster I’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing - like the dancing baby featured
on Ally McBeal. A dumb-ass kind of sped-up Yodeling thing happens here that’ll
have primary school kids going nuts (and probably drive you nuts playing it repetitively).
As much as I hate it, I couldn’t help but to play it to everyone I know laughing
myself silly. It also has that dangerous quality to stick in your head. Say no
bloody more…I think I’d rather settle for a gerbil…Richard Gere style, in stead
of having to listen to this every day. Weird, bizarre and quite scary, actually.
2 / B -
PB CYBERLAB
(Nuclear Blast) This double disc is a superb collection of known and unknown
acts falling in the Goth / Industrial department. With old favourites like KMFDM
and Frontline Assembly you can never go wrong. A fine spread of acts not
many have heard before illustrate their abilities to full effect. The predominant
electronic tone of the bands are hard edged, so don't expect any compromise. Still,
many toned down approaches can be found here. Some of the other bands included
are: Birmingham 6, Statemachine, Mesh, Implant, Die Form, Cleen, Hexedene,
Dive, Inertia, Neuroactive, Plastic Noise Experience, Regenerator, Evils Toy,
(In)ternal and others. A compilation well worth picking up. - PB
4 / A CYPRESS
HILL - Skull & Bones (Columbia) A couple of bars and you know exactly
whom you’re dealing with. On this double album the first Skull disc gives
you pure Cypress. A strong Scarface thread is visible in some of
the songs while they still talk tough with more believability than most of the
other rappers attempting to live the life and say it like it is. Track 3, (Rap)
Superstar has the Hillers shed some light on their perception of the industry
with which they have a love-hate relationship - the sharks you encounter, the
loneliness on tour, fakesters and the bite-down-and-tolerate-it as it’s a career
that pays the bills. Some nice string samples are incorporated while the beats
are as constant as always. They do touch upon one of their favourite subjects
(which also features on most of their artwork - Can I Get A Hit. The Bones
disc throws in heavy guitars and acoustic, hard thumping drums. (Rap) Superstar
gets the crunch treatment with its demon cousin (Rock) Superstar on this
fantastic six track disc of Bones that is a perfect compliment to Skull,
these elements making one fine union. If you wondered when Ice-T would
bring out another Bodycount album, don’t worry, the Bones disc makes
up for it in spades. Dino and Christian of Fear Factory are some of the
contributors. Other guest artists include Everlast, Eminem, Noreaga, Eric
Bobo, Brad Wilk, Chino and Andy Zambrano & Jeremy Fleener.
5 / A - PB |